Comparison of microstructure and high-temperature oxidation resistance of NiCrAlY coatings formed by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) and solid shielding shrouded plasma spraying (SSPS)

In this research, NiCrAlY powder was applied on steel, and Hastelloy X substrates with solid shielding shrouded plasma spray (SSPS) process and compared with atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The high-temperature oxidation test was also performed on the coatings, and the microstructure of coatings was studied by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To investigate the influence of the SSPS process on the properties of metallic coatings, variable parameters; such as type of shroud gas (Ar, H2), the gas injection method (internal, external or simultaneous) and the flow rate of that, were examined. During the use of shroud gas, the temperature of the plasma jet has increased significantly. The oxidation test results showed the proper performance of NiCrAlY coating under the protection of argon internal shroud gas with a flow rate of 75SLPM, which was able to perform the best plasma flame protection during spraying. It can lead to a reduction in oxide and porosity of coating up to 8%. Also, the lowest thermally grown oxide (TGO) thickness was obtained for this sample after 200 hours of oxidation, indicating its excellent performance in maintaining the Al for the formation of the continuous α-Al2O3 layer during high-temperature oxidation.